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Paperhouse [DVD] [1989]
 
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Paperhouse [DVD] [1989]

DVD ~ Charlotte Burke
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Paperhouse [DVD] [1989]
55% buy
Paperhouse [DVD] [1989] 4.4 out of 5 stars (5)
£2.98
Paperhouse [DVD] [1989]
30% buy the item featured on this page:
Paperhouse [DVD] [1989] 4.6 out of 5 stars (8)
Marianne Dreams (Faber Children's Classics)
15% buy
Marianne Dreams (Faber Children's Classics) 4.8 out of 5 stars (18)
£3.49
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Product details

  • Actors: Charlotte Burke, Jane Bertish, Samantha Cahill, Glenne Headly, Sarah Newbold
  • Directors: Bernard Rose
  • Writers: Catherine Storr, Matthew Jacobs
  • Producers: Dan Ireland, Jane Frazer, M.J. Peckos, Sarah Radclyffe, Tim Bevan
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: 24 Sep 2001
  • Run Time: 88 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005KFTT
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 29,726 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
To define the 1988 fantasy flick Paperhouse as a mere horror film would be an injustice--although this intelligent and thought-provoking British film is certainly scary in parts. In exploring the world of dreams, director Bernard Rose (Candyman) offers a far more elegant exposition of the subject than the Nightmare on Elm Street school of horror. Based on the novel Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr, Paperhouse offers a believable cause for its intensified dreamworld: Anna (Charlotte Burke) falls ill with glandular fever--a fever which will blur her understanding of reality and dreams. It is clear from the start that Anna has an overzealous imagination, holding onto her childhood games while her best friend becomes more interested in boys. Before her descent into illness Anna draws the Paperhouse of the title, and it is this house that dominates her dream world.

Although the acting is rather hammy and the scenes set in reality are tedious, the true beauty of the film comes from Production Designer Gemma Jackson and Cinematographer Mike Southon, whose talents emerge in the dream sequences. Clearly taking inspiration from the Surrealist movement, Jackson recreates a chilling version of Anna's drawing of the house, full of dark shadows and terrifying noises, that perhaps has more in common with Jan Svankmajer's macabre adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice than the innocent childhood offerings of Disney. Ultimately Paperhouse is an exploration of the traumatic transition into adulthood of a young girl on the cusp of her teenage years: at the start of the film Anna "hates boys", but by the end she is sharing her first kiss with Mark, her playmate in the dream world.

On the DVD With a 1.66:1 ratio format and Dolby Digital sound the stylistic brilliance of this movie is much easier to see and enjoy than in its previous incarnations on television and video. The special features leave a lot to be desired, though, offering only an unexciting original trailer and four filmographies for the director and the three main adult actresses. --Nikki Disney

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Trailer
Filmographies
Languages: English
Dolby Stereo
1.66:1 ratio

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Imagination far beyond expectation, 7 Jan 2002
By Gordon (Newcastle upon Tyne) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Paperhouse [VHS] [1989] (VHS Tape)
Imagine an ordinary girl living the day to day in reality and at the same time a world of fantasy as real as real. This film seamlessly reveals to the viewer such a world. Its direction is so flawless that you forget you are watching a film as the characters play out their part so sincerely. I for one was glued from beginning to end.
This is touching and a case of 'getting rid of old demons' and worth mentioning because it is one of a kind.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars unforgettable, 12 Jan 2004
This review is from: Paperhouse [VHS] [1989] (VHS Tape)
So unforgettable that even after about 10 years I've been wanting to get hold of this film. I watched it when I was younger and not seeing it since, to this day I still remeber some of the scenes in it. House in the middle of nowhere, not knowing what was about to happen, who's that person at the window......Really good. Definetly a recommendation to anyone who hasn't seen this.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, 28 Feb 2003
By Nebil Campbell-Shaw (Dublin, Dublin Ireland) - See all my reviews
I'd concur with the sentiments already expressed here - I regard the film as one of those rare triumphs where plot, casting, direction etc create something much larger than a simple sum. It probably has the greatest appeal to adults who still have a resonance with the often delightful but equally often fearful magic of childhood and it is a credit to everyone involved that it is so easy, even for a veteran and cynical filmgoer like myself at least, to become completely immersed.

It is certainly possible to find weak points - some of the acting is occasionally a little wooden (ironically not that of the children themselves) - but I'm delighted to be able to watch this film as a participant rather than an observer so I'll leave all that pettiness to someone else.

First rate.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars So disappointing
The uniformly warm and positive reviews here on Amazon convinced me to add 'Paperhouse' to my rental list - but what a disappointment. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Loomer

5.0 out of 5 stars An undiscovered work of genius
Bernard Rose directs this thought provoking psychological thriller, based on a childrens book (which, incidentally, is just as disturbing as the film!). Read more
Published on 26 April 2006 by Y. Tucker

5.0 out of 5 stars Non-gore horror classic
This is certainly a film that will not appeal to simple minded gore fans. If you're looking for something rather more sophisticated ie. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2006 by Bruno

5.0 out of 5 stars what they said below!
ive seriously been trying to find this film for years as well.... at first i thought i dreamed it LOL.... so glad everyone agrees on how good it is.... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2004 by milkbubble

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly exceptional film. Emotional and Scary.
'Paperhouse' is the most emotionally moving film I've ever seen. The acting from both the leads (Charlotte Burke and Elliot Spears) is superb. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2002

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